Rookie Bret Prinz shared the Arizona Diamondbacks closer’s job with strikeout maven Byung-Hyun Kim after torn elbow ligaments sidelined incumbent stopper Matt Mantei in June 2001. Prinz, a 24-year-old right-hander, converted nine of his first 12 save chances while picking up four wins and posting a 2.63 ERA in 46 games. The Diamondbacks had used Prinz mainly as a starter during his minor-league career but switched him to short relief in 2000 after he adopted a sidearm delivery during spring training. Prinz excelled at Double-A El Paso that season, saving 26 games and winning nine others.
